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 Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 10:24 pm
It was perhaps half a candlemark since the first rays of sunlight began to creep up over the horizon, and the pinkish-orange light hadn't quite turned the night's pleasant chill back into baking heat. J'lan preferred this time of day, and it seemed that Rakthath did too, as lately the big blue had been waking his rider up early to come feed at the crack of dawn.
The tanned rider had found himself a comfy spot in the shade to sit down and watch as Rakthath enjoyed himself. Wheeling upwards in a tightening circle, Rakthath watched the wherries in their pen scatter, then re-form in new groups. As if some combination existed that would somehow shield them from teeth and claws. J'lan reflected that his dragon always seemed to take a good bit of time just watching the beasts and selecting a target, though the blue was far from a picky eater... It was more, he mused, that Rakthath enjoyed these moments of unrestrained flight, and wanted to make them last as long as possible.
One long, dappled wing tilted, tucked in, and Rakthath's gyre turned into a stoop, then with a thunderous bellow he folded in his wings and dove. The wherries scattered beneath him, but one beast had the misfortune to be directly under Rakthath, and couldn't quite escape the reach of the dragon's grasp.
Showoff, J'lan thought, though there was more affection than reprimand in the word.
Rakthath didn't reply, already muzzle-deep in his meal, claws flexing in the bloodied sand. But a flicker of blue passed through the ravenous crimson hue of his eyes.
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Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2009 12:56 am
Truth be told, L'ior was still sleepy. He had not even taken the time, despite himself, to pull back his hair when the nudgings of Dioth had roused him from his comfortable sleeping position, wrapped in a blanket and curled against the dragon's blue side. L'ior-mine, Dioth's voice had intruded into the weary bluerider's dreams, I am hungry. There was apology in the blue's tone as he nosed his rider awake, bringing the shambling, dozey L'ior to his feet enough to grope mechanically for his abandoned wardrobe.
This is what I get, teased L'ior drowsily as Dioth's breath ruffled his hair and he pulled his tunic on, shoving the sleeves up around his elbows, for forgetting to eat yesterday, and having to be reminded... There was an amused silence for a long few moments, and then the note of Dioth's emotions changed to concerned sympathy.
I can wait, if you are so weary, conceded Dioth, almost apologetic. I thought only that I am likely to get the best, if we go so early, before others have picked it over... and then you will have the first and best at breakfast, as well.
Of course, came the affectionate reply, protesting softly as he climbed up onto Dioth's neck without the benefit of riding gear; it wasn't necessary, for such a short trip. If you'll drop me near the feeding grounds, L'ior said, burrowing his face against smooth-oiled blue hide for a moment to hide a yawn, smelling the familiar firestone-and-oil scent of the warm flesh, I will be fine while you fill your belly. He could almost feel the aching emptiness yawning in Dioth's stomach as if it had grown in his own, and if it meant pleasing his lifemate, he would endure any number of early risings.
After Dioth's agreement, L'ior soon enough found himself stumbling over to seek shade and a place to sit and groom his hair now at this time in the morning. He only half-noticed the other rider as he began to work at the tangles in his long, blue-black fall of hair with his fingers, sighing blearily. He did, however, manage a pleasant, if dreamy smile beneath the thick veil of his hair, directed at J'lan. "Good morning," he offered, giving the other plenty of space as he eased to a seat to wait and try to wake up. Sleep more than sunshine had pinked his sun-freckled cheeks, for now.
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Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2009 4:37 pm
J'lan had been nursing a cup of klah, coaxed from the kitchens before the 'official' start of breakfast, when L'ior arrived. Seeing the other bluerider's sleepy expression, J'lan wished he had thought to request a second cup for purposes of sharing. Naturally Rakthath would not be the only dragon up so early...
Because it is a sensible idea, Mine. Rakthath had tensed when the distinctive silhouette of a dragon appeared, then relaxed when Dioth's color revealed itself. J'lan vaguely recalled the duo as being quite laid-back, certainly moreso than either the brown or bronzeriders of their wing... both of whom intimidated J'lan. He didn't mind sharing space with L'ior, though, and flashed the other rider a cautious smile. "Morning," he replied. "Did yours drag you out of bed, too?"
I did not drag you anywhere! You don't like the heat at midday; I was being considerate. Rakthath bugled a greeting to Dioth, then neatly snatched up his wherry and moved towards the two riders, in order to give the other dragon adequate space to catch his own breakfast. Picking a comfortable spot and dropping the remains of his meal at his feet, he craned a still-bloody muzzle over to watch the two humans, eyes whirling with interest.
At a soft mental prompting, J'lan added, "It's... L'ior of Dioth, correct?" Rakthath couldn't recall, and J'lan's own memory was admittedly fuzzy this early in the morning.
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Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2009 6:38 pm
When he was spoken to, L'ior lifted his head with a sleepy smile, pushing his hair back over his shoulder as he looked at J'lan lazily. "Good morning... and aye," he replied ruefully, voice a little rough from sleep. "We are not usually up so early." After a yawn he covered with one big hand, he smiled winningly as the other called him by name. "That would indeed be my name... you'll forgive me if there are cobwebs in my head yet -- I do not remember the name of yours, though if I recall right you are J'lan...." His smile was sheepish but somewhat unrepentant as he uncurled a bit -- the other was pleasant, after all.
It is Rakthath, supplied Dioth, though he was distracted -- the scent of blood from the dead wherry the other was snout-deep in made his belly rumble as he replied to Rakthath's bugle with one of his own, pleasant and full-throated as he wheeled above the field, his great wings holding the warming morning air as he picked and chose over the frightened beasts with a judicious eye before, all but dropping cleanly out of the air atop one as he reached out a greeting to the other blue. Good morning, he called to Rakthath as he bit into the struggling creature, streaking his snout with blood as well.
"Ah -- Dioth says yours is Rakthath -- pardon my forgetfulness..." L'ior's cheeks pinked deeply, and he laughed. He was a little envious of the other's klah -- he could have used the mental pick-me-up.
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Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2009 10:41 pm
J'lan nodded, the guarded look slipping slowly from his expression. It had become somewhat habit... To treat people cautiously at first, then gain confidence only after he was sure that rejection wasn't about to come. "That's right." Noting the other's glance trailing to the mug, he added a little abashedly, "I don't usually have company... If I'd known, I would have brought a spare."
Dioth. Rakthath inclined his head slightly, more confident greeting his fellow dragon in words now that he was sure of the other's name. It was always frustrating, not to know things -- or to know that you once knew them, but forgot. Come over and join us, he called. Honestly, it wasn't as if His was going to vanish if Rakthath took his eye off him, but J'lan thought, from the way the blue acted sometimes...
J'lan spared the two blues a warm look, enjoying the moment. "Rakthath seems to prefer it this way... Feeding before the bronzes arrive, that is." A little more shyly, he tacked on half-audible, "It's easier on the both of us."
It was, perhaps, not the most judicious thing to say.
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Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 12:18 am
"Thank you, but it's all right," replied L'ior with a sleepy smile, "I'll wake up just fine without it." Another yawn slipped past his guard, and surreptitiously he stretched, pointing his toes in his boots a bit and sighing. "I forgot to eat yesterday, so I think this is his way of getting back at me for having to remind me, subtly..." Offering a broad, warm grin, he laughed -- it petered into another yawn, and a pout. "Shardit, I cannot stop yawning!"
It is not, protested Dioth. I would not punish you, L'iormine... He lifted his bloodied muzzle, peering up at the spot where his rider sat with mournful, slightly distressed eyes.
I know, soothed L'ior. At least he did not have to worry about yawning in his own head!
Good, replied Dioth, before turning his mind back to Rakthath. It is a good morning for an early breakfast. Do you and yours always come out so early? His head dipped, taking hold of the carcass and edging over toward the other blue in a friendly, nonthreatening motion. You must get your pick, yes?
"I do not blame either of you," said L'ior with a sympathetic little frown. He could recall times when an uppity bronze had actually snapped at Dioth for going for the same runnerbeast, and it had almost made him angry... but it had just driven poor Dioth into himself, silenced the garrulous, easygoing blue for the better part of a day. Though the blue did not remember it -- he rather thought it was a mercy, as the thought still clenched his jaw a bit. "Besides," he said hastily, tilting his head and offering a brighter smile, "it is very, very pleasant this time of day... Not quite so hot, anyway. And there is pleasant company, as well." He reached out, tentatively clapping the other's shoulder with surprising gentleness. "Am I right?"
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Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2009 11:44 pm
Yes, Rakthath responded, a soft hiss escaping his maw as he hunched a little closer over his breakfast, as if expecting something to descend at any moment and snatch it away. I do not like getting whatever is left. For a moment, his wings twitched a bit at his sides uneasily, tail flicking in restless motion.
Still, the other's friendly attitude seemed to mollify him somewhat, though his eyes still swirled between a calmer blue-green and the hotter colors of hunger. After a moment, the restlessness subsided, and he directed the mental equivalent of an offhand comment in Dioth's direction. I feel like flying. When we are done, of course. Is there somewhere you usually go after breakfast?
J'lan seemed surprised for a moment, then grinned to match L'ior's expression. "Absolutely. Wouldn't trade present company for the world." It was hard to stay moody in circumstances like these. J'lan recalled Dioth as having a reputation as an easygoing dragon, and reflected inwardly that he matched his rider well. Both, it seemed, with a knack for defusing a situation.
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